Standing Start

A standing start is a type of race beginning where all vehicles remain completely stationary on the starting grid until a signal indicates the race has officially begun, at which point drivers accelerate from a standstill.

In motorsport, how a race begins can dramatically affect the competition and excitement. With a standing start, cars line up in predetermined positions on the grid based on their qualifying performance, with the fastest qualifier typically earning the first position, known as pole position. Unlike a rolling start where cars are already moving when the race begins, a standing start requires drivers to launch their vehicles from zero speed.

The procedure for a standing start follows a specific sequence. Before the actual start, drivers complete a formation lap, which is a slow-paced lap that allows them to warm up their tires and brakes while race officials clear the grid of team personnel and equipment. After the formation lap, drivers return to their assigned grid positions, carefully aligning their cars within painted boxes that mark each starting spot.

The start signal typically uses a light system rather than a traditional flag. In Formula 1, five red lights illuminate one at a time at one-second intervals. Once all five lights are on, there is a brief pause of random duration, and then all lights extinguish simultaneously. This is the signal to go, and drivers must react as quickly as possible to gain an advantage.

Standing starts are widely used across many racing categories, including Formula 1, Formula 2, touring car championships, drag racing, karting, and various other motorsport disciplines. Each series may have slight variations in their starting procedures, but the fundamental concept remains the same.

This type of start creates significant drama and opportunity. The initial acceleration from a standstill tests both driver skill and vehicle performance, often leading to position changes in the critical first few seconds. However, standing starts also carry risks. Drivers who misjudge the start and move before the lights go out commit a "jump start" or "false start," which results in time penalties. Additionally, if a driver stalls their engine or gets a poor launch, they become a stationary obstacle that other cars must avoid, increasing the risk of first-lap collisions.

Some racing series also employ standing starts to restart races after a red flag stoppage, which occurs when conditions become too dangerous to continue racing. This restart procedure follows the same format as the initial race start, giving drivers another high-stakes moment to gain or lose positions.

The alternative to a standing start is a rolling start, where cars follow a pace car or maintain formation while already in motion, then accelerate when the race officially begins. Each method has its advantages, but standing starts are generally preferred in open-wheel racing and other categories where the pure acceleration performance of the vehicles is a key competitive element.